4/30/2010

TALLAHASSEE— Florida CFO Alex Sink today commended the Florida Legislature for passing Senate Bill 2386, a contract reform and efficiency bill implementing several of CFO Sink’s recommendations to improve the state’s contracting procedures and increase efficiency. CFO Sink’s recommendations were based on contracting initiatives within her Department of Financial Services.

“These common sense reforms will provide for more accountability, and more transparency,” said CFO Sink. “Floridians deserve to get the best deal possible in the most efficient way, no different than how it works in the private sector— these reforms help push our state in a more businesslike direction.”

CFO Sink’s recommendations included in the bill:

• Authorize state agencies to increase the use of electronic payments and receipts to reduce costs and increase efficiency.• Require all contract managers to attend accountability in state contracting training conducted by the CFO.• Require that contracts include clear statements of work and deliverables to ensure the state is getting what’s being paid for. • Authorize the CFO to establish procedures for state agencies to ensure contract services are rendered in accordance with contract provisions prior to invoicing for payment.• Require an analysis to ensure that non-competitive procurements are reflective of fair market value.• Require that agreements with grantees of state and federally funded grants include clear statements of work and deliverables.CFO Sink’s Department of Financial Services has already implemented a number of contracting improvements including:• Increased usage of electronic payments and receipts to reduce costs and increase efficiency. • Improved statement and scope of work required with detailed deliverables and provider non-performance remedies.• Improved documentation for increased accountability and contract monitoring and management. • Additional pre-procurement reviews for contracts of $250,000 or more.

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As a statewide elected officer of the Florida Cabinet, CFO Alex Sink oversees the Department of Financial Services. A successful business leader with nearly three decades of experience in the private sector, Sink is serving her first term as Florida's CFO. CFO Sink's priorities include using her business experience to cut wasteful spending, holding government accountable to Florida’s taxpayers, and cracking down on financial and insurance fraud.